Coca-Cola fans in the U.S. will soon have a new option to enjoy their favorite beverage without the use of high-fructose corn syrup.
The company, led by Chairman and CEO James Quincey, announced plans to introduce a Coca-Cola sweetened with U.S. cane sugar this fall.
During a conference call with analysts, Quincey described this new product as an expansion of Coca-Cola’s existing portfolio, indicating that it will complement the flagship Coke, rather than replace it.
The timing of Coca-Cola’s announcement is noteworthy, coming just a week after President Donald Trump expressed his enthusiasm for the change, stating that he had discussions with the beverage giant regarding the switch to cane sugar from corn syrup.
“I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!” Trump remarked.
While the president is known for his fondness for Diet Coke, which primarily contains the artificial sweetener aspartame, his comments have drawn attention to the company’s sugar content.
Although Quincey acknowledged Trump’s enthusiasm, he did not elaborate on the specifics of any communications with the White House.
“As you may have seen last week, we appreciate the president’s enthusiasm for our Coca-Cola brand,” he stated.
Questions about the discussions between Coca-Cola and the Trump administration remain, with the White House yet to respond to requests for clarification on any involvement in the recipe change.
This shift towards using domestic cane sugar aligns with President Trump’s economic agenda, which has focused on imposing tariffs on numerous foreign nations.
The potential change in sweeteners may impact the drink’s cost, as high trade barriers against imported sugar in the U.S. have historically kept domestic prices at about double that of the global market.
Despite many consumers viewing Mexican Coke as a unique alternative due to its cane sugar content, Quincey pointed out that Coca-Cola already utilizes cane sugar in several other products in the U.S. portfolio, including various beverages like lemonade and teas.
“We want to explore new options to suit consumer preferences,” he emphasized.
However, Trump’s preference for cane sugar over corn syrup has garnered criticism from the U.S. corn industry.
John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, warned that a switch to cane sugar could result in job losses within American food manufacturing, reduced farm income, and an increased trade deficit.
In a statement, Bode expressed concerns: “Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and expand the trade deficit.”
Cane sugar has also become a focal point for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services.
He has actively supported the administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, which promotes healthier choices, particularly in the beverage industry.
Kennedy recently commended the Steak ‘n Shake restaurant chain for offering Coca-Cola with cane sugar in glass bottles, signaling a trend against sugary drinks laden with high-fructose corn syrup.
Yet, just months prior, he described sugar in the U.S. as “poisoning us” and urged initiatives to remove sugary sodas from government assistance programs like SNAP.
Kennedy’s position reflects a broader criticism of sweeteners in beverages, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, which has faced scrutiny from health experts for years.
In 2004, reports suggested a significant connection between high-fructose corn syrup and the obesity epidemic, a claim that was later recanted but remains widely circulated.
David M. Klurfeld, an adjunct professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, notes that regardless of the type of sweetener used, the potential health effects are quite similar.
“There is overwhelming evidence that cane or beet sugar have almost no difference from HFCS [high fructose corn syrup] in composition and no difference in any health effects,” he stated.
According to Klurfeld, both high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar contain similar proportions of glucose and fructose, and their chemical structures become even more alike when added to acidic beverages.
He also explained that studies comparing the health effects of sugar versus HFCS have not shown any significant differences in their impact on blood glucose levels, lipids, or weight loss.
Klurfeld elaborated that observational studies, as opposed to randomized controlled trials, have provided the basis for linking high-fructose corn syrup to health issues, which does not definitively establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
“With confounding variables such as diet and exercise, it becomes challenging to determine true causation,” he concluded.
The upcoming introduction of Coca-Cola sweetened with cane sugar is expected to appeal to consumers seeking alternatives to high-fructose corn syrup, while also aligning with domestic industry interests amidst political backing from the Trump administration.
image source from：npr
